President Trump along with President Gustavo Petro have intensified the rhetoric in their verbal conflict, further raising tensions between the two countries after US forces attacked Venezuela with the aim of deposing President Nicolás Maduro from office.
"He operates drug factories and processing labs and is not going to be doing it very long," the US president stated.
Escalating Tensions and Claims
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, claiming the country faces serious problems and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States."
Although Colombia stands as the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Partnership
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight against drug trafficking and benefited from wide political approval in Washington, but relations have soured significantly since Trump came to office.
Its narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and breakaway groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom disbanded after a historic peace agreement.
Petro's Strong Rebuttal
When asked whether armed intervention similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "That seems like a good idea to me personally."
Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle in the 1990s, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.
"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become numerous insurgents across the countryside. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," he admonished.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 guerrilla group but is not believed to have ever took part in armed clashes. Upon leaving the group, he was involved in drafting the nation's constitution in 1991 and eventually served as an influential politician. He was mayor of the Colombian capital prior to his election the nation's highest office.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I would take up weapons once more," he said.
Heightened Measures and Broad Opposition
The Colombian defence minister stated that Petro's personal security had been reinforced.
Many among Colombia’s right wing opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of an invasion against their nation.
Bilateral and Economic Sanctions
American authorities withdrew Petro’s visa following he encouraged US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, it placed asset freezes against the president, his spouse and several close collaborators.
Concurrently while America bolstered its troop levels in the Caribbean and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs against Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets also carried out operations against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
